The Ratings Are in for ‘Last Man Standing’ Return to TV – Was It a Boom or Bust for the Tim Allen Comedy?

Conservative TV star and comedian Tim Allen is back on the television with the return of “Last Man Standing.” A year after ABC surprisingly axed the show, Fox picked up the family comedy, and its first episode debuted Friday night to huge ratings.

On its Friday night return, “Last Man Standing” scored a 1.8 rating among adults 18-49, or 8.01 million viewers. During its final season on ABC, the show averaged a 1.2 rating and 6.41 million viewers.

One year ago, ABC shocked both “Last Man Standing” viewers and stars by canceling the show despite solid ratings and reviews

https://twitter.com/ofctimallen/status/864514490804523009

“Stunned and blindsided by the network I called home for the last six years,” tweeted Tim Allen after hearing the news.

With the strong ratings in their debut episode, it looks like he’s found a new home on Fox.

On the opposite end of the ratings scale, award shows have seen a significant drop in viewership.

It seems as if every awards show on TV these days has become a liberal political rally, and the viewers at home have caught on and have had enough.

The American Music Awards set a new low in viewers and had their worst rating ever. The show was televised on ABC and earned a 1.8 rating, with 6.5 million total viewers.

Last year the show had a 2.4 rating and 9.2 million viewers, meaning the total went down nearly 25 percent in one year.

On Tuesday night’s show, Taylor Swift urged her fans to get out and vote and slammed Republican Senate candidate Marsha Blackburn on social media.

"This award and every single award given out tonight were voted on by the people," said Swift while accepting her third award of the night. "And you know what else is voted on by the people is the midterm elections on Nov. 6. Get out and vote. I love you guys."

Swift also took to her social media to support Democrat congressional candidates Phil Bredesen and Jim Cooper.

"As much as I have in the past and would like to continue voting for women in office, I cannot support [GOP Rep.] Marsha Blackburn," wrote Swift. "Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me."

“I believe that the systemic racism we still see in this country towards people of color is terrifying, sickening and prevalent,” she continued. “I cannot vote for someone who will not be willing to fight for dignity for ALL Americans, no matter their skin color, gender or who they love.”

Comedian Billy Eichner also had a political message at the American Music Awards, calling the upcoming midterms “the biggest election of our lifetime.”

"Please grab your friends. Tell them to vote. If you believe in equality for women, for people of color, for the LGBTQ community. If you believe that climate change is real and that we need to do something about it, don't let anyone tell you your vote won't count," said Eichner.

This year’s 70th Emmy Awards also hit an all-time low in the ratings department.

Some actors wore Nike apparel to support Colin Kaepernick, Nazi jokes were made, including jabs at Roseanne Barr, as well as a healthy dose of Trump bashing.

It probably isn’t a big surprise then that the 2018 Emmy Awards’ ratings plummeted by 10% from last year, setting a new all-time low with a 7.4 household rating.

This follows the recent trend of dropping ratings for award shows this year as America grows tired of the political theatrics. The 2018 Oscars dropped by 16% and the Grammys fell by 20%.

This year’s Emmys were hosted by Saturday Night Live’s Colin Jost and Michael Che and featured the following jokes:

“The only white people who thank Jesus are Republicans and ex-crackheads."

“The Emmys were first held in 1949. Things were very different back then. We all agreed that Nazis were bad.”

“Roseanne was canceled by herself and then picked up by white nationalists.”